photo: Fermi National Accelerator Lab

Things to Do: Cross-country Skiing

Great spots to ski in the Chicago Wilderness:

This preserve features natural marshlands and is a good spot for birding and cross-country skiing. For more information, call (630) 933-7200.

During the winter, cross-country skiers can use the Nature's Way trail. The park office doubles as a warming house. For more information, call (847) 587-5512.

A wide range of animals make their homes in the wetlands, prairie and woodlands of the Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve. The wetland supports many waterfowl species and wetland plants. This is a scenic place to bicycle, hike, or cross-country ski. For more information, call (847) 948-7750.

This high quality oak woodland provides a home for many native birds, mammals and plants. Skiers are welcome to explore the ungroomed trails during the winter months. No rentals are available so visitors must provide their own equipment. For more information, call (630) 933-7200.

This island of green is tucked into Lake County's most urban area. It harbors a surprising array of birds and wildflowers and is a good place to bicycle or go cross-country skiing. For more information, call (847) 367-6640.

The preserve offers three and one-half miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails and features prairies, wooded communities and wetlands. For more information, call (847) 433-6901.

This site is home to 300 native plant species, 108 bird species, six amphibian species, five types of reptiles, 19 kinds of mammals. This site contains meadows, wetlands and woodlands and is a good spot for cross-country skiing. For more information, call(630) 933-7200.

The trails in this park stretch for miles along the Kankakee River. Cross-country skiing trails are located on the north side of the river. For information, call (815) 933-1383.

This 2,063-acre forest preserve contains a mixture of oak woods, wetlands and fields. It is one of Lake County's most popular preserves but also contains pristine natural areas and habitat for endangered species. This is a good site for cross-country skiing. For more information, call (847) 367-6640.

Miller Woods showcases one of the Chicago region's finest black oak savannas. The area also features interdunal ponds, towering sand dunes and stretches of white sandy beach. This is a good spot for hiking, birding, cross-country skiing and sunbathing. For more information, call (219) 926-7561.

This park features a 48-acre lake, a large marsh, and a wide variety of native plants and animals. It is home to red fox, coyote, mink and opossum and is used by migrating ducks and geese. The park contains 10 miles of trails for hikers, skiers and cyclists. For more information, call (815) 385-1624.

Peck Farm Park includes a 200-acre restored tallgrass prairie and 17-acre Peck Lake. It features 2.4 miles of paved biking and running paths and is a good spot for wildlife watching, hiking, jogging, cross-country skiing, biking and bird watching. For more information, call (630) 262-8244.

This site features four to six thousand year old dunes. Ancient sand and gravel bars can be seen along the trails and at nature center buildings. Four trails, totaling nearly four miles are maintained for hiking. Cross-country skiing is also allowed on these trails. For more information, call (708) 868-0606.

Tamarack View Trail offers views of this state natural area and includes nearly three miles of cross-country skiing trail. For more information, call (815) 344-1294.

This site is an excellent example of ecological succession. It features beach, foredune, intradunal ponds, blowouts, jack pine forest and forested dunes. This is a good site for cross-country skiing, hiking, birding, and nature study. For more information, call (219) 926-7561.

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